Wednesday, February 29th, 2012
Did you see this nifty interactive map on The New York Times today? You can search all of New York City to find out a restaurant’s letter grade from the Department of Health, along with a list of the violations they’ve received.
It’s more user-friendly than the DOH’s own site, but it’s not particularly extensive either–a quick glance at our neighborhood, and you can see it’s missing places like Mimi’s, Purple Yam, and quite a bit on Coney Island Ave. They say they’ll be updating it periodically, however.
Following a couple recent closures in our area, it seems that there’s a real difference of opinion about these letter grades. I know this will just stir that pot again, but for those who put stock into these grades, here’s an easy option for finding out what they are.
- Mary
Tags: Department of Health
Posted in Food & Drink |
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012
This Saturday, March 3, the Flatbush Farm Share CSA will present a free community meal through the Flatbush Reformed Church Bread for the Journey Hot Meals Program:
Our CSA farmers, from the Farm at Miller’s Crossing and Hepworth Farms, are donating veggies and fruit and we have a crew of expert cooks volunteering their time to prepare the meal.
We will have a Flatbush Farm Share info table, with summer 2012 sign ups and authorized EBT screenings. The meal’s theme is: The Local Food Economy–Affordable for All! So, in addition to eating local, we hope to facilitate some information sharing on the topic through guest tables.
Community Meal from Flatbush Farm Share CSA
Saturday, March 3, 12-2pm
Flatbush Reformed Church, gym (corner of Church & Flatbush)
Please RVSP by Thursday March 1 to Outreach@flatbushfarmshare.com if you plan to attend.
- Mary
Posted in Community Event, Food & Drink |
Tuesday, February 28th, 2012
The Castello Plan Wine & Beer Festival continues with an Italian Wine Tasting on Wednesday, February 29, 8pm:
We are doing 4 wines with small plate pairings for $35. Our guest pourer will be Elena from Vias Imports and she will be able to answer any question you have about Italian wines!!!
And the upcoming tastings:
3/7 – Grandma’s Sherry
3/14 – Ronald Reagan’s Wines
3/21 – Organic & Biodynamic Wines
3/28 – Belgian Craft Beers
4/4 – Burgundy
4/11 – Wines of the Revolution
Call 718-856-8888 for reservations.
- Mary
Tags: The Castello Plan, wine
Posted in Food & Drink |
Monday, February 27th, 2012
Rumors have been swirling for some time that Qathra’s Yasser “Max” Habib would be taking over the lease of the former Whisk space on Newkirk Avenue, and as of last week, it’s finally a done deal. He signed the lease and already has big plans for the new space, which he’s named Milk and Honey Cafe.
They’re already in there working on the space, and when I stopped in yesterday Max told me he’s aiming to open in a couple of months. He hopes to have a full kitchen in the basement, menu items that will appeal to kids, and the same great coffee that you’ve come to expect from his Cortelyou Road space (which will remain open–and which will soon have a revamped back patio).
If you’ve got experience in web design, he’s looking for someone to help with the new cafe’s website–stop by Qathra or email qathracafe@yahoo.com.
The loss of Josh Rubin and the cafe he created is still incredibly difficult for the entire community, but having something new in that space, from someone who’s already created something great in the neighborhood, is an uplifting note after all the tragedy. We look forward to seeing what Max has in store, and will keep you posted about the progress and an opening date.
- Mary
Tags: Josh Rubin, Milk and Honey Cafe, Qathra, Whisk
Posted in Food & Drink |
Friday, February 24th, 2012
Ox Cart is open on Saturday and Sunday at 11am with a brunch specials in addition to their regular lunch menu. Want a preview of the specials menu? Click here to see the full list!
- Mary
Tags: Brunch, Ox Cart Tavern
Posted in Food & Drink |
Friday, February 24th, 2012
The third annual Best Wings in Brooklyn Competition is going down at Greenpoint’s Red Star Bar tomorrow, Saturday, February 25, with doors opening at 2pm.
Our own 773 Lounge is competing, and you can go and taste their wings (and all the rest) for free.
But like anything that’s free in this town, it’s going to draw a crowd–last year’s event had nearly 2,000 visitors–so they advise you to get their early.
You can vote on your favorite for the People’s Choice Award, and there’s a Judges’ Award as well, both handed out at 7pm by Borough President Marty Markowitz. Go get ‘em, 773!
- Mary
Tags: 773 Lounge, Best Wings in Brooklyn
Posted in Food & Drink |
Thursday, February 23rd, 2012
The headline says it all. The footage in question, via Jest, starts at 1:52.
- Mary
Tags: neighborhood on film, The Castello Plan
Posted in Food & Drink |
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
Congratulations to The Castello Plan, which is celebrating its second anniversary this week. Ben sends this note of thanks to the community, and invites everyone to share a complimentary glass of champagne and snacks this Saturday, February 25 at 10pm.
- Mary
Tags: The Castello Plan
Posted in Food & Drink |
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
The temperature got above 50 degrees today and flowers have been in bloom for weeks, so it seems almost okay to start choosing iced drinks over hot ones. The Thai iced coffee at the new Am Thai Bistro (1003 Church Ave, between E 10th and Stratford) is as sweet and tasty as it is pretty. It’s available in any weather, but it would make a nice treat after a walk around the neighborhood on a warm day like today.
- Mary
Tags: Am Thai Bistro, coffee
Posted in Food & Drink |
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012
Tomorrow is the first night of The Castello Plan Beer and Wine Festival, and they’re starting out with naturally fermented wines. Taste four natural wines for $35, 8pm, Wednesday, February 22. Call 718-856-8888 to reserve your spot.
- Mary
Tags: The Castello Plan, wine
Posted in Food & Drink |
Friday, February 17th, 2012
Here are this weekend’s brunch specials at Ox Cart Tavern:
Bloody Mary or Mimosa, $4.50
German Pancake, $10.50
Large oven-baked pancake, served with lemon, powdered sugar and strawberries
Strawberry Stuffed French Toast, $10.50
served with whipped cream, butter and Vermont maple syrup
Eggs Benedict, $11.50
A classic, with Canadian bacon, English muffin, Hollandaise sauce
served with fries and salad
Country Skillet or Veggie Country Skillet, $11.50
2 organic eggs any style, served over a casserole of red potatoes, ham, scallions, red peppers, mushrooms and Swiss cheese (veggie option features tofu instead of ham)
Corn Beef Hash with 2 Organic Poached Eggs, $11.50
served with salad (eggs are poached unless otherwise requested)
Fruit Salad with Mint, $4
2 Organic Eggs or Thick Cut Bacon or Fresh Breakfast Sausage, $4
Buttermilk Biscuits with Honey Butter and Fruit Jam, $4
Biscuits as above, plus Sausage Gravy, $5
- Mary
Tags: Brunch, Ox Cart Tavern
Posted in Food & Drink |
Friday, February 17th, 2012
The Castello Plan is starting up a Wine & Beer Festival next week. There’s a different tasting every Wednesday night at 8pm for the next eight weeks. Each tasting costs $35–call 718-856-8888 for reservations.
- Mary
Tags: beer, The Castello Plan, wine
Posted in Food & Drink |
Thursday, February 16th, 2012
It’s cruel to post this pic of the best square pie on the planet from L&B, but maybe a Ditmas Park slice can be good too?
A small group of Serious Eats pizza fans are planning to explore a few local spots this Saturday, February 18, specifically to taste the square, aka “grandma” aka “Sicilian,” slices. Here’s where they’ll be eating:
1. Lo Duca, 14 Newkirk Plaza
2. San Remo, 1408 Cortelyou Rd
3. Di Fara, 1424 Avenue J
Any thoughts on the square slices at these spots? I’ll be honest– don’t really try any square slices because I can’t imagine anything’s going to beat L&B Spumoni Gardens. But if there’s a great slice closer to home, I’d like to hear about it!
- Mary
Tags: Di Fara, Lo Duca, pizza, San Remo
Posted in Food & Drink |
Wednesday, February 15th, 2012
Here’s what people have been saying about our local restaurant in the past week:
* Robert Sietsema gives more details about mutton balls in a full review of Kavkaz in the Village Voice. He also recommends their sturgeon kebab, saying it “absorbs smoke like all get-out and arrives thoughtfully strewn with raw onions and fresh dill.”
* David of Devour New York City sits down for an Alamo burger at Ox Cart and finds more than just a meal: “If you’ve ever wondered what the meaning of life is,” he writes, “this burger is it.”
* Bonnie at Fromga reminds us that Mamma Lucia’s on Foster Avenue is a place where you can “enjoy some good pasta at an unpretentious, old-fashioned northern Italian red-sauce joint that’s been around for a long long time.”
- Mary
Tags: Kavkaz, Mama Lucia, Ox Cart Tavern, restaurant reviews
Posted in Food & Drink |
Wednesday, February 15th, 2012
The Farm on Adderley is hosting the brewmasters from Long Island’s Barrier Brewing Company next month for a four-course dinner paired with their beers.
Established in 2009, Barrier is a one-batch brewery, yielding two kegs for each batch. They don’t have any specific seasonal or ‘flagship’ beers, and their lineup changes weekly amongst the 36 beers in their portfolio. Should be a fun dinner for beer-lovers!
Barrier Brewing Co. Dinner
Wednesday, March 14, 7:30pm
@ The Farm on Adderley, 1108 Cortelyou Rd
Cost: $59/person (tax and gratuity additional)
To sign up, email thefarmonadderleyevents@gmail.com.
- Mary
Tags: Barrier Brewing Company, beer, The Farm on Adderley
Posted in Food & Drink |
Monday, February 13th, 2012
Sycamore is hosting a series of Classic Cocktail Courses this winter, and next up they’re covering the classic rum cocktail on Saturday, February 25 at 5pm. Sycamore’s own Mike Mikos and The Farm On Adderley’s Wil Petre will help you make a drink that feels like summer in the dead of February:
These two expert barmen will lead us through a step-by-step demonstration of several classic rum cocktails and then divulge their own new recipe for a contemporary Brooklyn twist on a vintage classic.
The session’s recipe booklets will be included for guests to take home. Complimentary snacks will be provided.
$45 per person. Very limited space: Sign up here!
- Mary
Tags: classes, cocktails, Sycamore
Posted in Community Event, Food & Drink |
Monday, February 13th, 2012
I get a couple of magazine subscriptions, and the range must confuse the mailman–from the Entertainment Weekly subscription I’ve had for about 15 years, to the never-ending pile of New Yorkers that nobody has time to read, there’s still something great about getting a magazine in the mail. As someone who likes to cook, my subscription to Cook’s Illustrated is understandable, but if you’ve ever seen it, you know how crazy precise the recipes are, and you’ll understand how I really just browse for ideas.
So that’s a rambling intro to explain how cool it was to see a recipe in the March/April 2012 issue for Filipino Chicken Adobo–not only is it an easy recipe by Cook’s Illustrated standards, but it’s based on our very own delicious version made by Chef Romy at Purple Yam. The secret to his recipe is the addition of coconut milk, which Cook’s Illustrated said “perfectly tempered the salt and acidity while still allowing for plenty of tanginess.”
While you can’t see their recipe without a subscription, they do have a great video of the process available online. You can also try a similar recipe published last year by the New York Times, or just enjoy it at Purple Yam, where you know it’s the best example of the dish around.
- Mary
Tags: chicken adobo, Purple Yam
Posted in Food & Drink |
Friday, February 10th, 2012
This Valentine’s Day at Purple Yam, they’ll be exploring an age old Asian tradition of caramel smoking a chicken:
I learned this method several decades ago from a Chinese-Filipino friend who must have learned it from her Chinese grandmother. I found some Malaysian palm sugar in my fridge that had already fermented and can’t wait to use it for the baby chickens for Valentine’s Day.
If that doesn’t sound compelling enough for you, here’s the rest of the menu, which will be served à la carte from 5:30-10pm on Tuesday, February 14. For reservations, call 718-940-8188.
Starters
Oyster kinilaw with pomegranate & horseradish ice, $12
Razor clam and parsnip chowder, $10
Blood sausage (heritage pork) with puto Diket (steamed heirloom black rice cake), $9
Yellowfoot chanterelle dumplings with mountain yam and pickled persimmon salad, $10
Main Course
Rice noodle with fresh bamboo shoot, black trumpet mushrooms & Asian greens, $18
Pandan duck leg with roasted Asian pear, $19
Palm sugar and applewood smoked poussin (baby chicken), $21
Grilled lemongrass heritage pork chop, $25
Beef shortribs braised in burnt coconut cream, $28
Desserts, $9
Chocolate tart with jackfruit ice cream
Cherry clafoutis with vanilla bean ice cream
Pomelo, blueberry & raspberry gratin with clementine sorbet
- Mary
Tags: Purple Yam, valentine's day
Posted in Food & Drink, Holidays |
Friday, February 10th, 2012
The folks at Ox Cart heard your comments, and they’ve lowered the prices on some of the brunch items. Here’s what they’re serving this week:
Bloody Mary or Mimosa, $4.50
Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad, $10
With shredded Parmesan cheese and garlic croutons
German Pancake, $10.50
Large oven-baked pancake, served with lemon, powdered sugar and strawberries
Strawberry Stuffed French Toast, $10.50
served with whipped cream, butter and Vermont maple syrup
Argentinean Blood Sausage with 2 Organic Eggs, $11.50
served with fries and salad
Country Skillet or Veggie Country Skillet, $11.50
2 organic eggs any style, served over a casserole of red potatoes, scallions, tomatoes, sausage, peppers, and ancho-guajillo chili powder with cheddar cheese (veggie option features tofu instead of sausage)
Corn Beef Hash with 2 Organic Poached Eggs, $11.50
served with salad (eggs are poached unless otherwise requested)
2 Organic Eggs or Thick Cut Bacon or Fresh Breakfast Sausage $4
Buttermilk Biscuits with Honey Butter and Fruit Jam $4
Biscuits as above, plus Sausage Gravy $5
- Mary
Tags: Brunch, Ox Cart Tavern
Posted in Food & Drink |
Thursday, February 9th, 2012
Chef David has cooked up the Ox Cart’s Valentine’s Day menu specials listed above, which are all built for two people to enjoy. No reservations, walk-ins only, this Tuesday, February 14. UPDATE: Ox Cart will be accepting limited reservations for Valentine’s Day. Those who wish to guarantee seating should call the restaurant at 718-284-0005. Walk-ins are also welcome as usual.
- Mary
Tags: Ox Cart Tavern, valentine's day
Posted in Food & Drink |
Thursday, February 9th, 2012
Crunchy, salty, and a little bit spicy, Salud’s chipotle roasted habas (fava beans) are one of the most addictive snacks in the area. What other neighborhood snacks keep you coming back for more?
- Mary
Tags: chipotle roasted habas, Salud, snacks
Posted in Food & Drink |
Thursday, February 9th, 2012
Tonight from 6-8pm, stop by T.B. Ackerson to taste some French whiskey that owner Cole Chilton describes as tasting of “toasted caramel, buttered brioche, ticklish smoke, and elegance that would get you into a party at Versailles without an invite.”
But if you’re a whiskey fan, stop by early–they only order six bottles at a time, so they may run out of bottles for purchase. If they do, you can add your name to a list so you can get one with the next order.
Looking ahead to Valentine’s Day, you may be thinking about chocolates–but do you have any idea what to drink while you’re eating them? It’s a challenging undertaking, but Cole has put together an e-book about the wines, whiskeys, and more that pair well with chocolate. Kissing Castro: Wine, Chocolate, Whiskey, Love, etc. is available for free to Amazon Prime members, and for $0.99 to everyone else through Valentine’s Day.
T.B. Ackerson Wine & Spirits
1205 Cortelyou Rd
718-826-6600
- Mary
Tags: books, T.B. Ackerson, valentine's day, Whiskey tasting
Posted in Food & Drink, Holidays |
Thursday, February 9th, 2012
Spend Valentine’s Day at The Castello Plan, where they’ll be having a special four-course, prix-fixe dinner, complete with wine pairings and live music, for $55 per person. Just want to stop by for a nightcap? They’re hosting that too, with champagne, desserts, and a live harp, starting at 11pm. For more information and reservations, call 718-856-8888.
Additionally, they’ve got a new winter menu available, which you can check out here.
- Mary
Tags: The Castello Plan
Posted in Food & Drink, Holidays |
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012
Part 2 of Sycamore’s 4-part Tasting Series is bringing Kentucky Bourbon Distillers and Slope Cellars to the bar on Monday, February 20 at 8pm:
Drew Kulsveen of Kentucky Bourbon Distillers and Chris Hiatt of Slope Cellars take you on a journey through some of the finest small batch whiskeys produced in Kentucky today. Snacks to accompany these spirits will be provided from our friends at the Market & Mimi’s.
The cost is $30 per person. Limited availability, sign up here.
- Mary
Tags: Sycamore, Whiskey tasting
Posted in Food & Drink |
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012
Coming up this Sunday, February 12 at The Farm on Adderley, a Natural Winemakers’ Dinner will feature dishes paired with wines from Alain Rochard of Loup Blanc. Jenny & Francois, organizers of the event, have a nice profile (including video) of chef Tom Kearney, who says natural wines “seem less dead” and can have “qualities you don’t normally find in wine.”
If you’d like to try some natural wines, this is a great opportunity: four courses for $65, email thefarmonadderleyevents@gmail.com for reservations.
- Mary
Tags: The Farm on Adderley, wine
Posted in Food & Drink |
